Infosys’ Murthy favours PM, judiciary under Lokpal’s ambit

Bangalore, June 11 (IANS) Infosys’ outgoing chairman N.R. Narayana Murthy late Saturday favoured bringing the prime minister and the top judiciary under the purview of the proposed Lokpal (ombudsman) institution.

“Knowing that the kind of extraordinary individual (prime minister) Manmohan Singh is, I have no doubt that he would be the first one to ask to include him under the Lokpal,” Murthy told reporters after chairing the company’s 30th annual general meeting (AGM) for the last time as its executive chairman.

Supporting the mass movement launched by social activist Anna Hazare against corruption, Murthy said there was nothing wrong in people taking to streets to fight the menace of corruption.

“One has to find a mechanism whereby every citizen of the country is made accountable to the legal system. I think all citizens have to be accountable,” Murthy said

Asserting that people had right to express opinions provided they don’t hurt others and were law-abiding, Murthy said he was a well-wisher of anything good that could help in nation-building.

“I think in a democracy, pluralism is inevitable. That is what makes democracy stronger. I don’t think anyone can be against such a movement to end corruption,” he said when asked if he supported Hazare’s movement against corruption and maladministration.

Welcoming the ongoing efforts to draft a Lokpal bill through the 10-member joint panel, Murthy said the government had been proactive in bringing a strong law against graft by involving him (Hazare) and other members of the civil society.

“As an ordinary citizen, I will always be there in my own way and do whatever little I can,” he said endorsing the people’s movement against graft.

Murthy, however, parried questions on Baba Ramdev, saying he did not know the yoga guru well enough to comment on his movement against corruption and bringing back black money stashed abroad.